14 Year Old Travel Photographer and Blogger

Volunteering in Cuzco: An Overview

On the 20th, I went to an orphanage in downtown Cuzco. In a more slummy district, the orphanage is very poor and makes its money from small donations from locals and selling it’s (delicious) baked goods, like most orphanages in Cuzco.

Entering the home, the first thing I noticed was the atmosphere. The smiles on the children, the happiness reflecting on all of us. One little girl ran up to me and grabbed my hand, pulling me up to their play area where she sat me down and asked to use my camera. Of course, how could I refuse. I taught her how to use it, but not before I took a picture of her.

All Smiles

The headmaster sat us down and announced to all of us. ‘Bienvenidos a nuestro casa. Los niños tienen algo que mostrarse!’ ‘Welcome to our home. The children have something to show you!’

Allinta Munay

They indeed had something to show us. Every child ran and grabbed one of us and brought us to whatever they had ready. Snayder, a little boy, told me to come with him, so I did. Turns out, what he had for me was a little hideout where no one else was. There, he used my camera until it was dead, and then progressed to my phone.

Little Snayder

If you go to an orphanage, or any other establishment for the under privileged, treat them with respect. The people there may very well be happy with their situation, or even unaware. They deserve to be treated with kindness, and if you do so, then they will welcome you with all their hearts. I am sure of it. Like this orphanage, a volunteer package usually includes half meeting those you are helping, and half helping them. This time, we painted a new room and chairs for their classroom.